ETF Focus

Similar Funds, Dissimilar Gains

Why ALPS Alerian has trailed JPMorgan Alerian

The ALPS Alerian MLP exchange-traded fund is popular among investors seeking to tap into master limited partnerships focused on oil- and gas-pipeline operators offering juicy yields.

But since its August 2010 inception through early last week, the cumulative return on the fund (ticker: AMLP) was 12.71%, says Morningstar, while its benchmark's was 24.96%. But its biggest competitor, the JPMorgan Alerian MLP exchange-traded note (AMJ),...